Julien expresses sadness, resolve

Steve Conroy, Bruins NotebookWednesday, April 17, 2013

WILMINGTON — If you didn’t know any better, you might have gotten the wrong impression that it was just a normal day by watching Bruins practice yesterday. Coach Claude Julien ran his players through an arduous, hour-long practice and, at one point, bellowed his displeasure at something he saw.

But like anyone else, hockey coaches and players are not immune to the emotions that were kicked up by the heinous bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday. Speaking to reporters after practice, Julien had no intention of making it seem like any other day. The team had a short meeting concerning Monday’s events before hitting the ice.

“It was one of those days where we practiced with heavy hearts,” Julien said at Ristuccia Arena. “Obviously we have a job to do and we still have to do our job. But I think our guys in there are proud of the city that they represent, Boston, and as hard as it was to go out there today and give it our all, I think our guys did a good job.

“But practice is over and our thoughts are back with those people affected by it. Boston, for me personally and my family, is a city we’ve fallen in love with, so when you see something like that, there’s no doubt it affects you as an individual and for us as a group.”

Like his players, Julien had already arrived at the Garden for Monday’s scheduled game against the Senators, already with the knowledge of what had happened on Boylston Street. But they didn’t have to wait long before the game was canceled and they were sent home.

“I’ve got (two) young kids at home and my wife and I spent most of the night watching it. And I’ll be honest with you, there were some tears,” Julien said. “You look at how some of those people were affected and you feel for them because, who knows? That could have easily been a member of your family, or sometimes it’s friends that are there, and there were some close calls in our group, people that were there.

“It was something that was hard for us to watch, but at the time, we care about the city and care about what it represents. And (Monday) was supposed to be a special day, a day to celebrate. Somehow, it got ruined.”

The Bruins will play the Buffalo Sabres tonight at the Garden, the first large sporting event in the city since the bombings. Julien realizes that his team could have a soothing or even galvanizing effect on Bostonians.

“We represent the city of Boston and we want to make sure we represent them well,” Julien said. “All we can do is go out there and give it all you’ve got.”

Would there be any fear, considering the bombings happened at a large sporting event?

“I guess each individual will think differently. I’m one of those people that wants to live life to the fullest. And I’m not going to live my life wondering about what’s going to happen,” Julien said. “I’m going to put my trust in people to make it as safe as can be and you live with the consequences. But the one thing you don’t want to have happen is people or groups have you live in fear.”

Not yet in clear

Brad Marchand skated a full practice and took contact for the first time since suffering a concussion April 10, but hasn’t yet been medically cleared for game action.

“That decision could be made (today), it could be made before Friday’s (game). I can’t guarantee anything,” Julien said.

Marchand said there were no ill effects from practice.

“I felt good out there. It was another step in the right direction. I had a little bit of contact out there and it felt good,” he said.

Bergeron probable

Julien said Patrice Bergeron is “highly probable” for making his return from the concussion he suffered April 2, though he still needs the final approval from doctors.

Bergeron was happy with how he felt after practice.

“I feel good, I feel ready. And it was good to get in a high-tempo practice,” he said.

Makeup date

Monday’s game against the Senators was rescheduled for Sunday, April 28 at 7 p.m. That will be the B’s final regular-season game. Starting tonight, the Bruins will play their final seven games in just 12 days. . . .